"Swellow use Aerial Ace!"

"Primeape use Cross Chop!"

Ash was fired up, his first real battle in a while, and the first world coronation battle in a long while. To top it all off, he was winning.

"Swellow use Quick Attack!"

"Primeape use Rock Tomb!"

Swellow narrowly dodged the falling rocks, striking Primeape into a wall.

"Now use Aerial Ace!" Ash called out.

"Primeape use Seismic Toss!"

It was too late for Primeape as it was knocked out.

"How about we sweeten the deal, if you let me win, you can go on a date with The Zack." Ash's opponent said cockily.

"How about I win, and forget that weird offer." Ash offered.

"Your loss, the ladies love The Zack. Come on out Clefable!"

"Swellow use Steel Wing!"

"Clefable use Attract!"

Swellow stopped mid attack, won over by the attract.

"Now use Meteor Mash!"

"Swellow get out of there!" Ash shouted.

The previous two Pokémon had done their toll on Swellow, as it was finally knocked out.

"Okay Ash, think. It knows attract, and probably has Cute Charm for its ability. Who do you have who can counter that." Ash said to himself.

"Times ticking doll." The Zack said.

"Snivy, I choose you!"

"Oh, poor choice. Clefable use Attract."

"Snivy you use Attract as well!"

Hearts circled around both of the Pokémon, before fading away, having done no effect.

"Now Snivy use Leaf Blade!"

"Clefable use Metronome!"

A Hyper Beam shot out, sending Snivy tumbling back.

"Alright! Use Metronome again!" The Zack said happily.

Clefable was enveloped in a bright light, before exploding.

"So how about that date." The Zack said.

"I won." Ash said, holding up a third Pokeball. "And you're creepy."

"You'll come back, they always do." The Zack called out.

"Word of advice, last guy to make an unwanted move on her ended up in the hospital in a coma for two weeks." Goh said.

"I can still smell that guys cologne." Ash said. "I was on the opposite end of the battlefield from him too."

"Welcome to being a cute girl." Chloe said. "We learn to deal with them, but Goh knows that first hand, don't ya Goh."

Goh held his hands in front of his crotch from the memory. "Yep, learned that one."

"Anyways, you won, so who cares." Chloe said.

"You're way too happy. Who are you and what have you done with Chloe." Ash asked.

"I'm happy because it is now 3:15." Chloe said, an evil smirk on her face.

Part of Goh's deal for going on missions was attending every psychologist meeting on time, and he had one at three.

"Goh! I'm sorry!" Ash shouted as Goh sprinted towards the lab.

"Another week without Captain Creepy." Chloe said. "Hey, you didn't have to deal with him nearly as much as I did."

"Do you honestly think he deserves all this?" Ash asked, walking off.

"Yes, he deserves it even more from you!" Chloe shouted.

Back at the lab

"Professor you can't bench Goh for being late." Ash said.

"Ash, he was late, he agreed to these rules." Professor Cerise said.

"It's my fault he's late though, I had a battle and I didn't realize we were running that far behind." Ash said.

"Ash, what are you doing?" Chloe said. "Goh broke the rules, he can't un break them."

"Let me check your story with Goh, if it checks out, he can still go on research assignments." Professor Cerise said.

"Wait, Swellow vs Electabuzz, Swellow vs Primeape, Swellow vs Clefable, Snivy vs Clefable." Ash said.

"I'll see what he says." Professor Cerise said calmly.

Ash waited for what seemed like hours. He knew what he said was the truth, but it was all on Goh now. If he wanted to be on the team, he'd tell the truth, if he didn't well, Ash just hoped he told the truth.

"Ash? You're still here." Professor Cerise said, surprised at Ash waiting.

"So what did Goh say?" Ash asked.

"Your story checks out, Goh's lucky to have a friend like you." Professor Cerise said.

"Now I just have to work on the hostility towards Goh that Chloe has." Ash said.

"You can't force that." Professor Cerise said.

"I know, but a bit of sympathy would be a start." Ash said. "Regardless of what Goh did, they're each other's oldest friends…"

"Ash, I know that look, it's the same look you get when you have a bad idea you think is great." Professor Cerise said.

"I don't have bad ideas." Ash argued.

"Of course you don't. Anyways I need you to go run an errand for me. Normally I'd do it myself but Charizard and Dragonite might handle it better." Professor Cerise said.

"Where am I headed?" Ash asked.

In the air

"Okay, keep it steady guys, we need to get this back to Pallet Town in one piece." Ash said as Dragonite and Charizard flew side by side carrying a large crate. "Not even sure I want to know what's in it." Ash said.

A while later

"So Professor, what's so important it had to be delivered immediately?" Ash asked out of curiosity.

"I'm not sure. Usually when a fellow Professor sends me something they at least tell me." Professor Oak said. "If you wouldn't mind Pikachu?"

"Pika!" Pikachu said happily. Striking the box's lid with an iron tail, revealing the inside.

"Oh my!" Professor Oak said, surprised.

"Is that what I think it is?" Ash said, turning his head. "Why would Professor Cerise send you a golden cooking pot?"

"It's a curry pot, one from Galar. From what I understand ones like this are quite hard to come by." Professor Oak said. "Hmm, a note. This is from Professor Magnolia!"

"Wait Professor Magnolia sent it to Professor Cerise to send it to you?" Ash said confused.

"Your friends likely brought it back at some point, and he just hasn't gotten around to delivering it. Anywho she thinks that the inscriptions on this pot might be linked to the dynamax phenomenon, and wants me to see if I can decipher some of them." Professor Oak said giddily.

"If anyone can do it, you can Professor." Tracey said walking up.

"Actually Tracey, I'm going to give this job to you." Professor Oak said.

"To me?!" Tracey said shocked.

"Yes, I think it will be a great first step towards you becoming a researcher yourself." Professor Oak said. "Feel free to use any materials the lab has to offer."

"Thank you Professor, I won't let you down!" Tracey said a bit louder than necessary.

Authors Note

Sorry about the later uploads the past 2 days, along with the accidental trip load yesterday, the correct chapters are up now though.